arXiv subjects

Julius T. Gohsrich

Publications and source records attributed to Julius T. Gohsrich.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Multi-dimensional parameter space of higher-order exceptional points induced by Brillouin optoacoustics

Exceptional points (EPs) are degeneracies in the spectrum of non-Hermitian systems, where both the eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce. In the vicinity of an n-th order EP, the eigenvalues generally show n-th-root dependence on the system parameters, making EPs potentially promising candidates for ultra-sensitive measurements. Usually EPs are implemented in precisely fabricated nano- and microstructures. In this work, we instead show the experimental implementation of a third-order EP (EP3) using the synthetic dimension in a single-mode optical fiber, leveraging multi-frequency Brillouin scattering. We perform a multi-dimensional scan of the parameter space revealing not only an EP3 but also additional topological structures connected to it. Our work paves the way toward fabrication-free realizations of exceptional points of arbitrary order.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Spectral-topology-induced criticality in non-Hermitian fermionic metals

Quantum matter emerges from the interplay of fluctuations, topology, and entanglement, which - in equilibrium - governs quantized transport, universal criticality, and topological classification. Non-Hermitian systems, widely explored in platforms ranging from electric circuits to photonics, are intrinsically out-of-equilibrium, and display fundamentally new phenomena, including complex spectra, spectral winding, exceptional topology, and non-unitary dynamics. A central challenge is understanding how the complex single-particle spectrum governs universal many-body behavior. We introduce a symmetry-protected dynamical topological index derived directly from the complex spectrum. Through the lens of algebraic topology, more specifically Morse theory, we identify critical points in the spectrum with topological defects, whose curvature and stability are protected under continuous deformations. This links spectral geometry to many-body observables, unifying non-Hermitian band topology, entanglement, and transport. We demonstrate that non-Hermitian quantum criticality in non-interacting systems is controlled by gain-and-loss-selected non-equilibrium steady states, which dynamically generate an emergent imaginary Fermi surface whose Fermi points host scale-invariant gapless modes with logarithmic entanglement scaling and algebraic correlations. Our work establishes a unified framework for non-Hermitian quantum matter, connecting spectral topology to Morse theory, revealing a topological foundation of non-equilibrium quantum criticality.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Higher-order exceptional points in a multimode continuum optoacoustic system

Exceptional points appear in non-Hermitian systems as degeneracies, where not only eigenvalues but also eigenvectors coalesce. They are of great theoretical and experimental interest due to their exotic topological properties and enhanced sensitivity to perturbations. Experimental realizations of higher-order exceptional points, where more than two eigenvectors coalesce, rely on highly fine-tuned setups. Recently, stimulated Brillouin scattering has been employed to generate second-order exceptional points in a fabrication-free setup by leveraging off-resonant scattering. In this work we generalize this approach, and we develop an off-resonant, multimode theory for stimulated Brillouin scattering as an avenue towards realizing symmetry-induced exceptional points of any order. We present the experimental implementation of our program in an accompanying paper. Our multimode theory could also be employed in applications in optoacoustic sensing, synthetic neuromorphic computing, microwave photonic filters, and optoacoustic quantum signal processing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

From order to chaos in a chip-scale Kerr parametric oscillator

Integrated photonics has enabled a wide class of chip-scale light sources and quantum technologies. Within this field, microresonator-based degenerate optical parametric oscillators (DOPOs) have gained prominence. Above a critical power threshold, these systems undergo spontaneous symmetry breaking to settle into one of two stable, π-phase-shifted states -- a mechanism successfully used for quantum random number generation and photonic Ising machines. Here, we show that DOPOs based on the Kerr nonlinearity host a significantly broader range of nonlinear dynamics than previously explored. Using a silicon nitride microring resonator, we experimentally identify Hopf bifurcations that trigger a transition from stationary operation to self-sustained oscillations at MHz frequencies. By adjusting pump detunings and powers, we achieve turnkey control over these oscillatory regimes, navigating the system between stable binary states and periodic limit cycles. Furthermore, we report the experimental observation of period-doubling bifurcations, which numerical simulations reveal as the precursor to a cascading instability culminating in chaos at elevated pump powers. Our results establish a framework for controlling nonlinear instabilities in chip-scale parametric oscillators, with applications in programmable photonic hardware and dynamical optical computing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

An Algebraic Approach to Bifurcations in Kerr Ring and Fabry-Perot Resonators

Nonlinear phenomena such as optical bistability and spontaneous symmetry breaking play a central role in Kerr resonators, and are increasingly exploited in photonic integrated circuits for all-optical information processing. In this work, we present an analytical framework allowing to find the stationary states and their bifurcations for the propagating fields in Kerr ring and Fabry-Perot resonators, which can be generalized to other nonlinear systems. Using tools from nonlinear algebra, namely, polynomial resultants and Groebner bases, we derive compact polynomial expressions describing the system's full solution in both intensity and amplitude representations. The bifurcations follow directly from these expressions, and are additionally characterized as exceptional points of an auxiliary linear non-Hermitian system. Together, these results unify optical bistability and spontaneous symmetry breaking within a single analytical framework, and offer a route toward improved control of nonlinear optical systems, and the design of photonic devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

The non-Hermitian skin effect: A perspective

The non-Hermitian (NH) skin effect is a truly NH feature, which manifests itself as an accumulation of states, known as skin states, on the boundaries of a system. In this perspective, we discuss several aspects of the NH skin effect focusing on the most interesting facets of this phenomenon. Beyond reviewing necessary requirements to see the NH skin effect, we discuss the NH skin effect as a topological effect that can be seen as a manifestation of a truly NH bulk-boundary correspondence, stemming from the spectral topology, and show how skin states can be distinguished from topological boundary states. As most theoretical work has focused on studying the NH skin effect in one-dimensional non-interacting systems, recent developments of studying this effect in higher dimensions as well as in many-body systems are highlighted. Lastly, experimental signatures and applications are discussed, and an outlook is provided.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Exceptional, but Separate: Precursors to Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking

Spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) and exceptional points (EPs) are often assumed to be inherently linked. Here we investigate the intricate relationship between SSB and specific classes of EPs across three distinct, real-world scenarios in nonlinear optics. In these systems, the two phenomena do not coincide for all classes of EPs; they can occur at dislocated points in parameter space. This recurring behavior across disparate platforms implies that such decoupling is not unique to these optical systems, but likely reflects a more general principle. Our results highlight the need for careful analysis of assumed correlations between SSB and EPs in both theoretical and applied contexts. They deepen our understanding of nonlinear dynamics in optical systems and prompt a broader reconsideration of contexts where EPs and SSB are thought to be interdependent.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Solving Dicke superradiance analytically: A compendium of methods

We present several analytical approaches to the Dicke superradiance problem, which involves determining the time evolution of the density operator for an initially inverted ensemble of $N$ identical two-level systems undergoing collective spontaneous emission. This serves as one of the simplest cases of open quantum system dynamics that allows for a fully analytical solution. We explore multiple methods to tackle this problem, yielding a solution valid for any time and any number of spins. These approaches range from solving coupled rate equations and identifying exceptional points in non-Hermitian evolution to employing combinatorial and probabilistic techniques, as well as utilizing a quantum jump unraveling of the master equation. The analytical solution is expressed as a residue sum obtained from a contour integral in the complex plane, suggesting the possibility of fully analytical solutions for a broader class of open quantum system dynamics problems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Exceptional points of any order in a generalized Hatano-Nelson model

Exceptional points (EPs) are truly non-Hermitian (NH) degeneracies where matrices become defective. The order of such an EP is given by the number of coalescing eigenvectors. On the one hand, most work focuses on studying $N$th-order EPs in $(N\leq4)$-dimensional NH Bloch Hamiltonians. On the other hand, some works have remarked on the existence of EPs of orders scaling with systems size in models exhibiting the NH skin effect. In this work, we introduce a new type of EP and provide a recipe on how to realize EPs of arbitrary order not scaling with system size. We introduce a generalized version of the paradigmatic Hatano-Nelson model with longer-range hoppings. The EPs existing in this system show remarkable physical features: Their associated eigenstates have support on a subset of sites and exhibit the NH skin effect, which can be tuned to localize on the opposite end of the chain compared to all remaining states. Furthermore, the EPs are robust against generic perturbations in the hopping strengths as well as against a specific form of on-site disorder.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗